Foodcourt workers go on strike at Auckland Airport

Passengers flying on international flights out of Auckland today might need to pack a cut lunch.

Foodcourt workers at the international terminal are striking during lunchtime to protest about what they claim is the worst employment contract in the country.

Their union, Unite, says workers are not offered a permanent job or any guarantee of what they will earn. Unite says staff can also be rostered for up to ten days in a row, without consultation.

Unite spokesman Mike Treen says the contract is ";medieval"; and the strike is being held because the company refused to change its stance during negotiations last week.

(The contract) has some of the most onerous conditions we have seen in a New Zealand contract. To add insult to injury most of these workers received a six per cent cut in pay this year when the company cut standard shift hours from 40 to 37.5 hours per week. These cuts included workers who have worked at the site for many years."

- NEWSTALK ZB